Bible Study on Tehilliym (Psalm) 48 Kernodle Senior Center Burlington NC

Tuesday May 27th, 2025

Tehilliym (Psalms) 48

A psalm praising the greatness of Elohiym and Mount Zion, His dwelling place.

Introduction:

Tehilliym 48 is a psalm of praise, specifically celebrating Jerusalem as “the city of our Elohiym” and Mount Zion as the “joy of the whole earth”. It highlights Elohiym’s presence and power within the city, contrasting it with the awe and terror inspired in foreign kings who once threatened to attack. The psalm also encourages reflection on Elohiym’s lovingkindness and the security He provides for His people.

Tehilliym 48 (KJV-YS):
Verses 1-3: The Greatness of Yahuah and His City

“1. Great is Yahuah, and greatly to be praised in the city of our Elohiym, in the mountain of His set apartness. 2. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 3. Elohiym is known in her palaces for a refuge.”

Insights:The psalmist declares that Yahuah is great and greatly to be praised in the city of our Elohiym, Jerusalem also know as Zion.

Cross References Verses 1-3:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 12:5 – “But unto the place which Yahuah Elohaykem shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 96:4 – “For Yahuahis great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all elohiym (gods).”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 2:2-3 – “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of Yahuah’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahauh, to the house of the Elohiym of Ya’aqov; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of Yahuahfrom Jerusalem.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 5:34-35 – “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is Elohiym’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.”
Chazon (Revelation) 19:5 – “And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our Elohiym, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. ”

Summary: Yahuah loves His set-apart city and will always protect her and His people. His city is the joy of the whole earth both now and for eternity.

Verses 4-6: Kings Marvell at Elohiym’s City

“4.For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. 5. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. 6. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.”

Insights:The city of Jerusalem was admired by kings who passed by and Yahuah protected the city without the armies of man having to do anything.

Cross References Verses 4–6:
Shemoth (Exodus) 15:15-16 – “Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of Thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till Thy people pass over, O Yahuah, till the people pass over, which Thou hast purchased.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 13:6-8 – “Howl ye; for the day of Yahuah is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”
Daniy’el (Daniel) 5:6 – “Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.”

Summary: No matter what forces man tries to mount against Yahuah, the kings of the earth have never prevailed nor will they ever prevail against Yahuah.

Verses 7–8: The Protection of Elohiym

“7. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. 8. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of Yahuah Tseva’oth, in the city of our Elohiym: Elohiym will establish it for ever. Selah.”

Insights: Ships are seen as a symbol of power for kings but Yahuah can destroy fleets of ships with only an east wind.

Cross References Verse 7–8:
Tehilliym (Psalms)46:5 – “Elohiym is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: Elohiym shall help her, and that right early. ”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 2:16 -17 – “And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and Yahuah alone shall be exalted in that day. ”
Miykah (Micah) 4:1 – “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of Yahuah shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.”
Yechezq’el (Ezekiel) 27:26-27 – “Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.”

Summary: No matter the plans of man and the weapons he uses, Yahuah will defend His city and it will be established forever.

Verses 9-14: Rejoicing in Our Elohiym

“9. We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O Elohiym, in the midst of Thy temple. 10. According to Thy name, O Elohiym, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of righteousness. 11. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Yahudah be glad, because of Thy judgments. 12. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. 13. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. 14. For this Elohiym is our Elohiym for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.”

Insights:The psalmist declares that they think of Elohiym’s lovingkindness and praise Him because of the righteousness of His right hand.

Cross References Verse 9–14:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 28:58 – “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this Torah that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, את Yahuah Elohayka”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 26:3 – “For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 26:8 – “ Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O Yahuah, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee.”
Malakiy (Malachi) 1:11 – “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith Yahuah Tseva’oth.”
Yochanon (John) 16:13 – “Howbeit when He, the Ruach Emeth (Spirit of Truth), is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”

Summary: The psalmist encourages others to walk around the city and see her spendor and rejoice and be glad that Yahuah is our Elohiym and that we will follow Him until death.

Conclusion:

Tehelliym 48 is a psalm written to praise Elohiym in honor of His city, Jerusalem. The psalmist invites the readers to observe the beauty and splendor of the city then and it is an invitation to those in the future to cherish and marvel at the city of Elohiym.

Tehilliym (Psalms) 49

It is Elohiym, not riches, that redeems the soul.

Introduction:

Tehilliym 49 is a psalm written to justify the ways of Elohiym in the face of the apparent fortunes enjoyed by the wicked people in this world. It is not a simple sermon that encourages us to ignore the iniquity that others use to gain worldly riches but it goes to the root of encouragement for believers that Elohiym will not only never forsake His own, but will one day soon redeem them to Himself to enjoy the eternal riches of His Kingdom.

Tehilliym 49 (KJV-YS):
Verses 1-4: Everyone Listen

“1. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: 2. Both low and high, rich and poor, together. 3. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. 4. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.”

Insights: The psalmist opens up with a call to all people to give ear and hear the wisdom he is about to speak.

Cross References Verses 1-4:
Mishlei (Proverbs) 22:1-2 – “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: Yahuah is the maker of them all.”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 78:1-2 – “Give ear, O My people, to My Torah: incline your ears to the words of My mouth. I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:”
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 5:4 – “Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of Yahuah, nor the judgment of their Elohiym.”
Marqus (Mark) 4:9 – “And He said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 13:10 – “And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

Summary: The psalmist wants to share with everyone what Yahuah has shared with him and he is going to do so by the use of a parable. Even though he has told all to hear, only a few will understand.

Verses 5-10: Do Not Fear in the Days of Evil, Trust in Yahuah

“5. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to Elohiym a ransom for him: 8. (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9. That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 10. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.“

Insights: The psalmist declares that he will not fear when evil men that trust in their wealth surround him because they can do nothing to him.

Cross References Verses 5-10:
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy Elohiym: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 9:23-24 – “Thus saith Yahuah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am Yahuah which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith Yahuah.”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 52:6-7 – “The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not Elohiym his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 16:26 – “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Luqas (Luke) 16:22-23 – “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Avraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Avraham afar off, and El’azar in his bosom. ”

Summary: No matter what we have to go through in this life, we should not envy the rich and prosperous because one day everything will be made correct and justice will prevail.

Verses 11-15: All Flesh Will Die

“11. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. 12. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. 13.This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 14. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. 15. But Elohiym will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah.”

Insights: The psalmist states hat the rich think because they leave land and wealth for their families that their names will continue forever. He then reminds us that everyone is appointed to die once and all are as the beast of the field.

Cross References Verses 11-15:
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 4:17 – And Cain knew his woman; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 3:18-19 – I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that Elohiym might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”
Luqas (Luke) 12:19-20 – “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But Elohiym said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
1^st Kepha (Peter) 1:24 – “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of Yahuah endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

Summary: Despite how good it looks like the rich and powerful have it, their wealth cannot buy them immortality. Do not lay up your treasure where moth and rust will corrupt.

Verses 16-20: Earthly Riches Do the Dead No Good

“16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. 18. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. 19. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. 20. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”

Insights: The riches that people accumulate here will not be able to be carried with them when they die. We are like beast that perish and none understands it.

Cross References Verses 16-20:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 29:19-20 – “And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: Yahuah will not spare him, but then the anger of Yahuah and His jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and Yahuah shall blot out his name from under heaven. ”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:14 – “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 3:18-19 – “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. ”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 22:13 – “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Chazon (Revelation) 19:6 – “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying Hallelu’Yah, : for Yahuah Elohiym Tseva’oth reigneth. ”

Summary: The psalmist closes with the statement that a man with honour and doesn’t understand it is no different from the ignorant beast when they die.

Conclusion:

Tehilliym 49 is a psalm that presents a meditation on wisdom, contrasting the temporary nature of earthly wealth and fame with the inevitable reality of death and its ultimate consequences. It addresses both the poor, who may fear the prosperity of the wicked, and the rich, who place their confidence in their wealth. The psalm highlights the futility of trusting in riches to escape death or provide a lasting legacy, emphasizing the shared human condition of mortality and the need for a different kind of wisdom

Self-Reflection Questions:
Tehelliym 48

1. The Greatness of Yahuah and His City (Verses 1-3)

“Great is Yahuah, and greatly to be praised in the city of our Elohiym, in the mountain of His set apartness.